Anyone recommend a decent SKS?

Progunner

Progunner

Joined
Oct 22, 2001
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I have some 7.62X39 sitting around and no rifle to go with it (sold the MAADI AK). I know SKSs are cheap enough and plentiful. Any recommendations on ones to avoid? I see there are quite a few 1950's Russian made ones on some of the gun auction sites. They don't look too bad, but I am more concerned about reliability and accuracy.
 
The Yugos that have been coming in for the last couple of years are pretty good you just have to look it over before purchase. I have read a couple of articles regarding the gas valve being corroded on some of these. As always the chinese as a rule are usually pretty good guns for the money, try to find one that is matching serial numbers. all the sks i've had have been REALLY reliable, as in no ftf, ever. as far as accuracy as a rule they aren't going to win many matches but it'll get the job done. The Russians seem to be better made than the chinese but they also cost more. good luck,ahgar
 
i have a norinco SKS. it's decent. a lot of people seem to trash norinco as a brand, but i've never had a problem with my rifle and i've put it through hell as my "utility gun."

it was cheap. it could probably use some work in the fit/finish department, but other than that it's functioned reliably well since i've purchased it. i can tell you, the wood stock was crap, and i replaced it with a dragonov stock (which turned out to also be crap). it's reasonably accurate, but nothing special. all in all, you get for what you pay.
 
Get a Yugo 59/66. The stock is much higher quality than the Norinco's and the metalwork is equally impressive. You get an awsome grenade launcher unit as well. For less than $200, you can still get them in unissued condition, full of cosmoline to clean out.
 
I have a Norinco SKS that has been 100% reliable. I replaced the short little factory stock with a decent folding stock and have no complaints.

Alternately, you should just forgo the new gun and send all your ammo to me! :D

sks.jpg
 
for very little more $$ ya can get a AK which is imho 2X the gun, might not be legal in your neck of the woods though.

the chinese and yugo SKS's are good rifles imho.
 
ahgar said:
The Yugos that have been coming in for the last couple of years are pretty good you just have to look it over before purchase. I have read a couple of articles regarding the gas valve being corroded on some of these. As always the chinese as a rule are usually pretty good guns for the money, try to find one that is matching serial numbers. all the sks i've had have been REALLY reliable, as in no ftf, ever. as far as accuracy as a rule they aren't going to win many matches but it'll get the job done. The Russians seem to be better made than the chinese but they also cost more. good luck,ahgar
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You said what I was thinking. I have a Russain, a Yugo, a Chinese and an Albainan ( these are hard to find). For the $$$ you can't go wrong with the Yugo. But if you can find a Russian for around the same price, get it. The russians seem to be just a little better than all the rest.
 
mp510 said:
Get a Yugo 59/66. The stock is much higher quality than the Norinco's and the metalwork is equally impressive. You get an awsome grenade launcher unit as well. For less than $200, you can still get them in unissued condition, full of cosmoline to clean out.
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Just saw this post. $200 for unissued is much better than the AIM deal. Those rifles are only listed as "very good." mp510, you have any sources for the surplus unissued versions?
 
Guyon said:
Just saw this post. $200 for unissued is much better than the AIM deal. Those rifles are only listed as "very good." mp510, you have any sources for the surplus unissued versions?
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I have heard in some markets, Cabelas stores have been selling unissued grade rifles for $149, I haven't seen them for myself though- our local Cabelas store doesn't open for about 2 more weeks (can't wait!!!). I have heard of some gun stores buying them in quantity and selling them for $150 to $225- it all depends on how maqny they bought and what their mark-up is. You probably want to call around, and see what your local dealers are chargeing.
 
i think the very best SKS is the norinco paratrooper carbine, i have one and really like it, a handy little rifle, IIRC they run ~$300/$350 now though, i paid ~ $90 for mine lol, got it back in the late '80s when they were cheap.

for the $$ the yugos are nice too, but the F&F isnt as good as the norincos imho, they function just fine though.
 
I have a Yugo -- I put a Tapco stock on it. I can hit clays on a bank outdoors at
200 yards offhand about 4 out of 10 times, with the rest of the shots walking around it using wolf
ammo and iron sights. I have been very impressed with its accuracy and reliability. De-greasing it
though was a bitch. I got the model with the integral grenade launcher, only only to
realize here in CA they replace it with a CA legal flash surpressor so I am going to take the grenade
sight off as it just adds weight. I also got the bayonet for my own amusement but to be honest it
makes the whole thing too muzzle heavy -- if I had to do it over again I would skip both.
 
imho ya gotta have a bayo on an SKS, for looks, its useless for most of course.
 
i like a norinco and have shot and modified quite a few back when my friend had the gun shop and outdoor range. i worked on all his guns and i have even put a kit gun together from norinco that a customer bought, it was a box of parts and no instructions:rolleyes:. from what i seen from actually putting a norinco sks together you cant go wrong. just make sure it has a chrome lined bore and clean all the cosmoline out from the springs and pistons or you will get sprayed with grease while shooting it.
 
sks are good, but I think you should take a look at the saigas. They're real russian AK's, but in "sporting" condition, with a different stock and magazine. They're pretty cheap and can be switched to real AK condition. You can get them in .223, 7.62x39, and .308, as well as 12, 20, and .410 shotgun.
 
personally i dont really like mini14's, though i have one, as far as a SKS or a mini that would be a close call but i would way prefer a AK to a mini any day of the week and 2X on sunday.

why??

more reliable, more accesories for it, hi-cap mags are wayy cheaper (ones that will work, anyway)probably more accurate, better round, just a better all around rifle imho, to me its not even close.

heck i'm not sure my para SKS isnt more accurate than my mini lol, i have heard that newer ones are better in that regard though
 
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